KCR Summer 2025 Mag V2 - Flipbook - Page 42
Summer Tasting Menus:
Seasonal Delights from London’s
Top Chefs
There’s something especially indulgent about a summer tasting menu in
London. When the city’s parks are in bloom and produce is at its peak,
top chefs embrace the season with fresh, innovative dishes designed to
re昀氀ect the essence of summer. From rooftop restaurants to intimate 昀椀ne
dining experiences, London’s culinary stars are crafting exclusive
seasonal menus that celebrate British ingredients with global 昀氀air.
Here’s where to enjoy the very best.
Spring at Somerset House – A Botanical Escape
Core by Clare Smyth – Notting Hill Elegance
Menus and bookings: https://springrestaurant.co.uk/
Clare Smyth’s three-Michelin-starred Core in Notting Hill continues to
raise the bar. Her summer tasting menu focuses on sustainable British
produce, executed with exceptional 昀椀nesse. Standouts often include Isle
of Mull scallop tartare, heritage tomato consommé, and a light lamb and
courgette composition that’s perfectly balanced. Every dish tells a story
of provenance, craft, and seasonal harmony.
Bookings: https://www.corebyclaresmyth.com/
Skye Gyngell’s light, feminine touch shines brightest in the warmer
months. Her Pre-Theatre and Garden Menus at Spring focus on
vegetables and edible 昀氀owers grown at Heck昀椀eld Place Farm.
Highlights include grilled courgettes with burrata and basil oil, or peach
and almond tartlets served in a serene, airy dining room.
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester – Classic Re昀椀nement
For timeless elegance, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester o昀昀ers a re昀椀ned
interpretation of summer. His “Seasonal Inspirations” tasting menu
might include seared sea bass with fennel and grapefruit, or garden
pea velouté with smoked ricotta. Paired with one of the capital’s most
polished wine lists, it’s a decadent and unforgettable experience.
Visit: https://www.alainducasse-dorchester.com/
Restaurant Story – Edible Art from Tom Sellers
Over in Southwark, Restaurant Story invites guests to embark on a
culinary narrative. Tom Sellers’ storytelling approach to cuisine is
whimsical and delicious, with his summer menu weaving 昀氀oral, fruity,
and herbaceous notes through 10 imaginative courses. Expect surprises
like nasturtium-laced crab, elder昀氀ower sorbet, and strawberry desserts
that recall the nostalgia of an English garden party.
London’s Summer Dining Scene: A Feast for the Senses
These summer tasting menus showcase the creativity and culinary
mastery that de昀椀ne London’s restaurant scene. They also celebrate the
provenance and freshness of British produce—think asparagus from
Kent, wild garlic from Devon, and rhubarb from Yorkshire.
Bookings: https://www.restaurantstory.co.uk/
For food lovers seeking to elevate their summer plans, there is no better
way to savour the season than by exploring these exquisite tasting
journeys. Just be sure to book ahead—tables for these seasonal experiences are in high demand.
Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal – Decadence in Piccadilly
Tucked within the elegant Hotel Café Royal, Alex Dilling’s intimate
34-cover restaurant has become one of London’s most coveted
reservations. His newly launched summer tasting menu includes dishes
such as Scottish langoustine with lemon verbena, and a slow-cooked egg
with girolles and tru昀툀e that’s both rich and ethereal. The wine pairings
are equally sublime.
By Lisa Curtiss
More information: https://www.hotelcaferoyal.com/dining/alex-dilling/
Ormer Mayfair by So昀椀an Mset昀椀 – Lightness and Luxury
Hidden within the re昀椀ned Flemings Mayfair Hotel, Ormer is a gem
led by So昀椀an Mset昀椀. His seven-course tasting menu is a masterclass in
elegance and restraint, featuring delicately layered summer peas,
barbecued turbot with preserved lemon, and a divine white peach
dessert. Vegetarian and pescatarian menus are also available.
Explore: https://www.昀氀emings-mayfair.co.uk/dining/ormer-mayfair/
Kitchen Table – Immersive Dining at Its Best
If you’re craving something avant-garde, James Knappett’s Kitchen
Table (two Michelin stars) o昀昀ers a theatrical and interactive experience.
The ever-changing 20-course menu is built around the freshest
ingredients available that day. Summer dishes might include
gooseberry-glazed duck, seaweed-seasoned crab, or lightly cured trout
with pickled cucumber and dill pollen.
Bookings: https://www.kitchentablelondon.co.uk/
KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW
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